Banksy-Inspired Dessert At London's Rosewood Hotel

If international street artist Banksy were a pastry, he’d be a perfect alliance between chocolate and vanilla.

So thinks the pastry chef of the glitzy Rosewood Hotel, which has just launched an afternoon tea service that re-interprets some of the most influential artists in London, in sugar, butter and icing form.

Developed by pastry chef Mark Perkins, the Art Afternoon Tea at the luxurious hotel’s Mirror Room is an ode to five of the most iconic modern artists, currently represented in London: Banksy, Yayoi Kusama, Alexander Calder, Mark Rothko and Damien Hirst.

Banksy is instantly recognisable, even in butter and pastry form. Chocolate cubes are filled with vanilla cream choux, salted caramel and chocolate cremeux, and presented with a miniature edible image of the artist’s Girl With a Balloon.

“I was inspired by the prominent art scene in London and by the captivating contemporary and traditional art pieces that are featured throughout Rosewood London,” Perkins said. “The idea really progressed from there and great consideration went into deciding upon which art genres and movements we wanted to focus on. I settled on modern art, as it offers many interesting shapes, colors, and designs.”

Pastries are presented with an assortment of classic high tea sandwiches like smoked salmon and cream cheese; Coronation chicken; Le Madru ham and comte cheese; and egg salad.

The art-inspired afternoon tea is priced at $57 per person, $70 per person with a glass of “R” de Ruinart Champagne or $72 per person with a glass of “R” de Ruinart Rosé Champagne, and is the only high tea offered at the property.

Shandana A. Durrani has been a magazine editor and travel writer in New York City for 19 years. Her work has appeared in numerous publications and websites including Condé Nast Traveler, Glamour, Cigar Aficionado, Wine Spectator, Silverkris, Haute Living, NYMag.com, Jetsetter.com and Justluxe.com. She is the author of "Day Trips from New York City" and the co-author of "Insiders' Guide to New York City."